Our History

James Alpheus Wood is born on September 26th in Wilshire, Ohio. He would go on to shape public education in New Mexico for decades.

Frank F. Gormley is born in Walden, Massachusetts on December 3rd.

James Wood and Frank Gormley both arrive in Santa Fe, New Mexico. James Wood is named Superintendent of Santa Fe Public Schools.

Frank Gormley opens Gormley's Store on Canyon Road, an iconic East Side establishment.

A new "red brick" First Ward School opens at 400 Canyon Road, serving students on the East Side of Santa Fe. That same year, Santa Fe Public Schools hires its first Music Teacher, Ms. Hansen.

The first Drawing Teacher, Ms. Mary Pickens Woodson, joins Santa Fe Public Schools, bringing arts education to the district.

Amanda Metzger begins work as the first public school nurse in Santa Fe.

A group of twenty citizens petitions the Santa Fe Public School Board about the need for a school on the "south side of the river," citing severe overcrowding at the First Ward School. A bond election in April approves $55,000 for two new schools: Gormley School and Manderfield School. Construction begins that summer.

An early morning fire breaks out in the dormitory at St. Michael's College, leaving 115 students without housing. In a remarkable act of community generosity, Frank Gormley offers to temporarily house some of the students in the newly completed but not-yet-opened Gormley School for the winter.

Gormley School opens its doors to students, designed in the Pueblo Revival architectural style and named in honor of Santa Fe Public School Board member Frank Gormley. Myrtle Swingle serves as the school's first principal.

The First Ward School is sold to Dr. Frank Mera, Director of Sunmount Sanitorium, for $5,000. Proceeds fund a small addition to the already-overcrowded Gormley School.

Harrington Junior High School is built directly across the street from the Gormley School.

The Santa Fe Public School Board successfully applies for Works Progress Administration (WPA) funding to build three new schools, including the Wood School.

The Wood School opens, named after Superintendent James A. Wood and designed by architect Gordon Street in the Territorial style. The two neighboring schools — Gormley and Wood — would eventually merge into one.

The orchestras at Wood and Gormley Schools perform seasonal programs broadcast live throughout the year on local radio.

Professor James A. Wood dies in his Santa Fe home.

Gormley School students purchase $2,402.53 in war bonds and stamps to support American soldiers in World War II.

Frank Gormley passes away, leaving behind a lasting legacy in Santa Fe public education.

The Wood Gormley Gymnasium, designed by Bradley Kidder and built by Bill Lineberry, opens for use.

A kitchen addition is made to the gym, creating the beloved Wood Gormley "Cafetorium".

Wood Gormley becomes the only public elementary school in Santa Fe to offer French language classes.

The Wood Gormley Parent Teacher Association hosts its first Fall Carnival to raise funds for a school library, set to be housed in the basement.

Alan Hale, Jr. — The Skipper from the television program Gilligan's Island — visits Wood Gormley Elementary.

Wood Gormley changes its mascot from the Red Devils to the Panthers.

Wood Gormley students successfully petition Mayor Sam Pick to close traffic on Booth Street during school hours, making the school environment safer for children.

The first issue of the Wood Gormley Gazette, a monthly student newspaper, is published.

A homecoming gathering celebrates Wood Gormley's 70th anniversary ahead of its major renovation. In August, demolition begins on the $3.5 million project that will combine the separate Wood and Gormley buildings into one unified school.

Tom Freedman, the physical education teacher at Wood Gormley, organizes the first Panther Run.

The Santa Fe City Council overrules a prior decision by the Historic Design Review Board, allowing a homeowner to remove the little green shed that once housed Della's — a neighborhood landmark remembered fondly by generations of Wood Gormley students.

The city of Santa Fe bans plastic bags, in part due to advocacy work by Wood Gormley students — a testament to the school's tradition of civic engagement.

Wood Gormley Elementary School celebrates its 100th anniversary. One hundred years of learning, laughter, community, and Panthers. Here's to the next century.